Cosmetic Surgery Tips

Big Hips After Tummy Tuck

Have you ever wondered what can happen to your hips after a tummy tuck? You may have heard that one of the benefits of getting a tummy tuck is that it can make your hips appear smaller. But what actually happens to your hips after a tummy tuck? How long will it take for them to return to their normal size? And how do you know if they’ve grown too large?

The answer depends on a few factors: how much weight you lost and how quickly, whether or not there was excess skin around your lower abdomen, and whether or not you had liposuction performed on your lower abdomen (and if so, how much fat was removed). In this guide, we review the aspects of Big hips after tummy tuck, can plastic surgery make your hips wider, why are my hips bigger after tummy tuck, and why do I look wider after tummy tuck?

In this article, we’ll discuss what happens to your hips after a tummy tuck and why it’s important for you to know about this so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not surgery is right for you.

If you are thinking about getting a tummy tuck for excess skin, this guide can help. Here is the answer for if fat comes back after a tummy tuck.

There’s nothing fun about having a growing midline after pregnancy or menopause. Many times, we find our waistlines getting wider without any explanation. 

The issue is tummy tuck or abdominoplasty addresses the anterior area of the abdomen — not the sides. This means that the improvement on the abdomen can actually highlight the problem with the hips. Typically, in our San Francisco area offices, we address this issue and discuss ways to treat it either at the same time or at a second surgery. The most common way we improve the flanks is with liposuction. Be sure to talk to your plastic surgeon about the entire mid section to avoid the muffin top problem! I hope this helps.

The worst part is that once you’ve started building up belly fat, it can be extremely difficult to lose shed the extra inches. You can get demotivated and find yourself looking for a solution that leaves you with the flat abs you desire. 

One great way of getting rid of excess stomach fat is with a tummy tuck procedure. If you’re considering this procedure, you may be wondering if this is a permanent solution or if the weight will come back. 

We’ve put together a quick guide on what to expect from a tummy tuck procedure. Let’s dive in!

Your natural proportions factor into your final shape after a tummy tuck

Even the best plastic surgery cannot change your natural anatomy; in fact, one mark of a skilled plastic surgeon is the ability to respect and work with a patient’s existing proportions to enhance her natural beauty. An expertly performed tummy tuck can accentuate your curves and sculpt a better-defined waistline, but don’t expect the procedure to make you look like Jessica Rabbit if you naturally have a straight-as-a-stick silhouette.

In general, patients who have adequate distance between their rib cage and pelvis, as well as those who were curvier prior to pregnancy, can expect to have an hourglass shape restored to a greater degree than those who are short-waisted or who have always had a more straight body shape. Additionally, an hourglass-like shape is usually easier to achieve for patients who are close to their ideal body weight, yet not overly thin, before tummy tuck surgery.

A Tummy Tuck Doesn’t Guarantee You Won’t Gain Weight in the Future

Many people believe that getting a tummy tuck is the answer to all their weight loss problems. Once they get a tummy tuck, they think that they’ll be free from having to worry about weight gain permanently!

While that would be nice, this isn’t the case. Tummy tucks can give you the flat stomach that you’re looking for initially, but they won’t prevent you from keeping the weight off in the long run. 

It’s important to keep incorporating a healthy diet and exercise into your lifestyle after a tummy tuck. That way, you can maintain the aesthetic effects that your tummy tuck provides you. 

Some women also choose not to have more children after undergoing a tummy tuck. That’s because it can lead to more excess skin and fat, ultimately undoing the benefits of the tummy tuck procedure. In turn, that can make it seem as though you’ve gained weight again. That means that your belly fat may return or appear to return in some capacity, which can leave you unsatisfied with the results of your procedure. 

Tummy Tucks Only Remove Abdominal Stretch Marks

Once again, because people believe that tummy tucks are weight loss procedures, they often have misguided expectations. It’s important to remember that tummy tuck surgery is performed only on the abdomen. 

Following a tummy tuck procedure, you may still have stretch marks around your thighs and hips. In addition, you may still have excess fat or skin in those parts of the body. 

The tummy tuck will remove extra fat and skin on the abdomen, but that doesn’t mean that it will target fat and skin on other parts of the body. Having the right expectations for your procedure can help you better understand how your body fat will be impacted. 

Remember, while tummy tucks do remove fat from the abdomen, it doesn’t remove it from any other part of the body. You can still gain fat in other areas, even following the procedure. 

Liposuction or Bariatric Surgery

Tummy tucks aren’t the only method out there for removing additional belly fat. Another great choice for people wanting to lose a few pounds around the midriff may find that they’re better benefited by a liposuction treatment. 

While getting a tummy tuck is certainly a great way to reduce fat in the abdomen, it’s not the only method out there. When patients go into a tummy tuck expecting drastic weight loss results, they may be disappointed. This can lead them to feel as though belly weight returned even if that isn’t the case. And, for people who need to lose a lot of weight, bariatric surgery may be the way to go. 

One simple method for making sure that your tummy tuck procedure is the right choice is to speak with your doctor. A good plastic surgeon will be able to recommend the correct procedure for you. 

He or she will set expectations and will let you know what type of weight gain or loss you can expect to see after your trip. They’ll also suggest alternatives that may be a good choice for you. 

Does Fat Come Back After a Tummy Tuck?

The bottom line is that the results of a tummy tuck are designed to be long-lasting, but they aren’t foolproof. It’s up to you to follow post-procedural operations and to take care of your body so that you can enjoy the benefits of this operation. 

If you’re ready to schedule an abdominoplasty, the Advanced Institute for Plastic Surgery can help. Contact us today to speak with a physician about your potential tummy tuck procedure. Let’s get your appointment scheduled!

Woman with her hands over her bellybutton after experiencing weight gain after her tummy tuck procedure.

Why do patients gain weight?

There are many reasons why patients gain weight after tummy tuck surgery. Understanding the reasons discussed here is the first step in preventing weight gain.

Lifestyle

Regardless of how many cosmetic procedures you get, the cornerstone of maintaining a slim figure is leading a healthy lifestyle. Of course, we all have cheat meals and lazy days every so often, but establishing healthy habits is essential to looking and feeling your best. There are no replacements for a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Hormones

Your hormones fluctuate monthly and throughout the course of your life from puberty to adulthood. When your hormones are unbalanced, your weight can be dramatically affected. If you are doing everything you can to live a healthy lifestyle, and you still are gaining weight, talk to your doctor and he or she will be able to give you tips to balance your hormones and get you back on track.

Stress

Stress often causes people to sleep less and eat more—both of which play major roles in weight gain. Additionally, stress can cause hormonal issues like the ones mentioned above, with the result being that you store extra fat. You can find many ways to combat stress—exercise, medication, journaling—so it is important to find one that works for you.

Post-Surgery Fluid Retention

Sometimes after surgery water is retained in the areas between your organs, which can lead to a bloated appearance. This fluid retention can be localized—like swollen hands and feet—or it can be more generalized to give the appearance of overall weight gain. Staying active and following proper post-op instructions will help remedy this type of fluid retention.

Where do patients gain weight after a tummy tuck?

During body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck, fat cells are eliminated from the body and cannot return. Because of this, patients may gain weight in other places like the buttocks, legs, arms, and breasts. Patients also sometimes gain weight around their organs, and neither a tummy tuck nor liposuction can remove these fat cells.

You will be able to maintain your tummy tuck results if you have minor weight fluctuations, so gaining 10 to 15 pounds should not present significant issues. However, gaining weight can be a slippery slope, and excessive weight gain will surely compromise your results. Weight gain over 15 pounds can cause skin and abdominal muscles to stretch and create a belly bulge.

If the weight gain continues, you may need a tummy tuck revision. A revision can be a more complicated surgery, so I advise all my patients to stick to a healthy lifestyle instead, so they can enjoy their results for years to come. Tummy tuck results can be long-lasting when performed in conjunction with good diet and exercise.

can plastic surgery make your hips wider

Searching for tummy tuck surgery in Sacramento? Dr. Donald Hause offers both full and mini tummy tucks. The waist, abdomen and hips are a particularly difficult area of the body to tone through exercise and diet alone. Factors like pregnancy, aging and significant weight fluctuation can compound the problem. If you struggle to achieve your ideal abdominal contour, surgery may be a great option. Localized fat deposits can usually be treated with liposuction alone for a satisfactory result. If you have additional problems, such as skin laxity or separated abdominal muscles, tummy tuck may be a better solution.

Dr. Donald Hause can tighten your abdomen for a more pleasing body shape. With nearly two decades of experience, Dr. Hause is the tummy tuck surgeon Sacramento patients trust for beautiful and natural-looking results.

why are my hips bigger after tummy tuck

Are you unhappy with your waistline? Excess skin and fat accumulation around the abdomen can be frustrating, even if you are at a healthy weight. Tummy tuck surgery can create a smoother and more toned appearance you love. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jaime Schwartz offers many cutting-edge techniques that achieve excellent results.

A tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) is a well-known cosmetic procedure for improving your midsection. If you want to make a lasting change, call for a consultation in Beverly Hills, CA. We look forward to hearing about your body contouring goals.

Tummy Tucks Are Not Weight Loss Procedures

One common misconception about tummy tucks is that these are weight loss procedures designed for people who are overweight. The reality is, however, tummy tucks are actually designed for people who are already a healthy weight. 

When you get a tummy tuck, excess skin and fat are removed to help you feel more comfortable. It can help you to lose some weight as a side effect, but the weight loss will be fairly minimal.

If someone is overweight, they may want to lose weight first before undergoing a tummy tuck. In fact, most plastic surgeons will not perform a tummy tuck on patients with a BMI greater than 40. 

Following the surgery, you’ll need to make sure to follow portion and food recommendations to uphold the look of the tummy tuck. This can help you retain your new look and can make your results more obvious. 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *